ADVERTS APPEAR FOR EDUCATION SERVICES

Advertisements for contractors interested in providing education services stripped from failing local education authorities appeared the day after the government announced its latest attack on poor standards.

Several newspapers, including the Financial Times, carried the education department advertisements last week. They asked for expressions of interest from contractors interested in providing education services such as preparing and implementing education development plans and providing pupil welfare schemes.

The department also said contractors could be asked to provide management consultancy and advice to LEAs.

A day earlier education secretary David Blunkett warned LEA leaders the government would not hesitate to use new powers to strip councils of some or all of their education support responsibilities.

Addressing the north of England education conference in Sunderland last week, Mr Blunkett said: 'To act effectively we have to be prepared.'

The housing and communities secretary’s parliamentary private secretary has responded to criticism of the government’s approach to council funding by saying now is a “critical time” for local government to influence next year’s comprehensive spending review.

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